UPDATED: Yellow Lake Fire prompts evacuations in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

The Yellow Lake Fire, September 29, 2024. Photo: TownLift // Marina Knight

UPDATE: 3:07 p.m – Evacuations are ordered in the Duchesne Ridge, Mill Hollow, Wolf Creek and Soapstone Pass areas of Wasatch County due to the Yellow Lake Fire.

The Wasatch County Sheriff's Office and Wasatch County Search and Rescue are in the process of notifying those in the restricted area of ​​the need to evacuate.

State Road 35 at Noblett's Trailhead (milepost 12) and Wolf Creek Pass (milepost 19.5) are closed except to emergency vehicles. Please avoid the area.

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Most of the affected area is public and managed by the US Forest Service. However, Wasatch County Public Works, the Fire District and the Utah Forestry and State Lands are supporting.

The weather forecast for the area said winds between 50 and 60 miles per hour were expected Sunday afternoon. When the fire was reported at 3 p.m. on September 28, the area was estimated to be 30 acres. Campers near the area were evacuated.

Aircraft with firefighting capabilities are on site and additional aircraft have been ordered.

UPDATE: 2:18 p.m – The Yellow Lake Fire has grown to 150 acres. Additional resources are ordered. The Utah Department of Transportation has Closed SR-35 between mileposts 12 and 20 because of the fire.

WASATCH COUNTY, Utah – A wildfire in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest has prompted evacuations and closures in the Heber-Kamas Ranger District.

The Yellow Lake Fire, first reported yesterday afternoon, has grown to approximately 50 acres and has consumed timber and deadwood east and south of Mill Hollow Reservoir. The US Forest Service has assumed command of the fire operations.

The fire department has ordered an area closure for public safety reasons. Authorities are asking all campers in the affected area to evacuate. The closure boundaries extend from Mill Hollow in the west to Wolf Creek Campground in the east and from Highway 35 in the north to Duchesne Ridge in the south.

Initial response included Wasatch Fire District units who have since been released from the scene. Wasatch County Public Works is assisting with two water plants and four employees.

Firefighters on scene include five engines, two helicopters and two ground teams. A column of smoke is currently visible from Park City, Heber and Midway. Officials are urging the public to stay away from the Duchesne Ridge area as fire operations continue.

The Forest Service has not yet determined the cause of the fire or provided a containment estimate. Residents are asked not to report smoke sightings.

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